> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hostinger.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hostinger.com/emails/domain-settings.md).

# Email Domain Settings

Four DNS records make your domain's email work and keep it out of spam folders. hPanel's **Domain settings** page (under your email domain) checks each one, shows what it found vs what it expects, and fixes them automatically when your DNS is hosted at Hostinger.

## The four records

| Record    | What it does                                                                                           | Symptom when missing                                          |
| --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **MX**    | Routes incoming mail to your mailbox (`mx1.hostinger.com`, `mx2.hostinger.com`)                        | Your mailbox doesn't receive emails                           |
| **SPF**   | Stops others from sending fake emails from your domain (`v=spf1 include:_spf.mail.hostinger.com ~all`) | Your emails are easier to spoof and more likely to be flagged |
| **DKIM**  | Cryptographically signs your outgoing mail                                                             | Emails more likely to land in spam                            |
| **DMARC** | Tells receivers how to treat mail that fails SPF/DKIM                                                  | No policy for handling spoofed mail                           |

## Checking and fixing records

Open **Domain settings** under your email domain. Each record shows a status — connected, missing, or incorrect (conflicting or pointing to another provider) — with a side-by-side view of the **detected records** and the **Hostinger records** they should match.

* **DNS at Hostinger:** the page can apply the correct records for you.
* **DNS elsewhere:** copy each Hostinger record into your DNS provider, then click **Check status**.

DNS changes can take up to about 12 hours to propagate, though most apply much sooner.

## Custom DKIM

The **Custom DKIM** page lets you generate your own DKIM key for the domain:

1. Click **Generate** — hPanel creates the key and shows the DNS record to add.
2. Add the record (automatic if DNS is at Hostinger).
3. Verification can take up to 6 hours; the record shows **Unverified → Verifying → Verified** (or **Verification failed** — check the record value and retry).

## Domain verification (external domains)

Adding an email plan to a domain that isn't managed at Hostinger requires proving ownership: hPanel gives you a **TXT record** to add at your DNS provider, then verifies it. Changes usually take 5–15 minutes to become visible, rarely up to 24 hours.

## Domain-level warnings

The email pages surface domain problems that affect mail: domain expiring or expired, suspended, registration still in progress, or **pending owner verification** — sending and receiving pause until the domain owner's details are verified. Each banner links to the fix.

## Related

* [DNS Management](/domains/dns.md) — editing records on Hostinger nameservers
* [Setting Up Apps & Devices](/emails/setup-devices.md) — the autoconfig CNAME records

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*Last updated: July 22, 2026*